Thomas the Train

I took a road trip.  Just me, by myself, with two boys.  Two little boys.  I was SO nervous to drive 7 1/2 hours all alone to my parents home in Kingman Arizona.  I had been putting this trip off for a long time, coming up with new excuses because I knew the drive was going to be hard.  To be honest, the drive was probably the easiest part.  I did have a few moments when I needed to use the bathroom and had to take two curious boys in the stall with me.  Nolen put his hand in the toilet and Edward opened the door.  It was good times all around.  HA!  I had to pull over a few times so that Edward could pee on the side of the road, but other than that, we sailed right on through to Kingman. 

My boys were so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa!  I packed all shorts and t-shirts with out ever looking at the weather.  Turns out, a cold snap blew through as we drove in.  I rushed to Wal-Mart to buy some pants.  Luckily, I packed a sweater for each boy, but really as a last minute thought as I was walking out the door.  The boys ate more Popsicles than should ever be consumed and played outside in the freezing cold riding the strider bike with cousins. 

I spent most of my time on the stairs with Nolen and guarding him from falling in the pond out side my parents home.  Nolen decided he wanted to start throwing tantrums that weekend, so I saw a new side of him.  I am not sure I am ready to deal with an ornery toddler when I just got out of that stage with Edward.  Nolen figured out how to grab someones finger and drag that person to where ever he wanted to go.  When I didn't go with him, a huge tantrum ensued. 

If you are wondering, the hardest part about being away from Stephen is at night.  Stephen usually takes Nolen the first few times he wakes up.  When we are apart, it is solely up to me to take each shift.  For Nolen, that can be 3 or 4 times a night.  Sleep is something I rarely get, but to get only 2-4 hours is just dreadful.  (By the way, we did get in to see the GI doctor and are working on getting Nolen's tummy issues fixed).

We took the boys to see Thomas the Train in Boulder, Nevada on Saturday morning.  It was FREEZING!!  Edward had so much fun.  He was so excited to be riding on a train and for that train to be pulled by Thomas.  If it wasn't so cold, it would have been really fun to play outside with all the games the event had set up.  Nolen screamed almost the entire train ride because I wouldn't let him down to investigate the train.  Once the train started moving, I allowed him to walk around and he was a little happier.  He definitely did not enjoy being stuck in one place especially since he hadn't seen everything there was to see.

I drove home on Monday and had only a few small melt downs.  I drank 1/3 of a Dr. pepper (something I haven't had in nearly 10 years) just to stay awake.  The boys played at a truck stop for an hour while I pretended to sleep. 

I am so grateful for my parents, family, and friends.  I had a wonderful time and actually won a game with my partner, Amanda.  I wish we lived closer, but the more time passes, the more I realize I will be living in Albuquerque for the rest of my life.  I hope to visit my family every other month, now that I know I can make the drive alone.  YIKES!